India’s Power Grid Cybersecurity Gets Focus as Parliament Raises Policy Questions

Growing digitalisation of India’s electricity transmission network has put cybersecurity of power infrastructure in the spotlight during the ongoing winter session of Parliament, as lawmakers and experts highlight the need for stronger safeguards to protect the nation’s critical energy systems.

With modern power grids increasingly reliant on connected digital systems, officials say robust security measures are essential to prevent disruptions, protect operational technology and maintain uninterrupted electricity supply. An unstarred question in the Lok Sabha has asked the Ministry of Power to update Parliament on several aspects of grid cyber-defence, including plans for installing advanced firewalls and the progress of cybersecurity audits carried out over the past year.

Lawmakers have also sought details on priority locations for security upgrades and how the sector is coordinating with national agencies such as CERT-In to strengthen real-time monitoring and incident response capabilities. Specialists say such inter-agency cooperation will be vital as the grid becomes more interconnected and digitally dependent.

As part of ongoing modernisation efforts, transmission utilities periodically update their technology procurement plans to align with evolving security requirements. Recently, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) withdrew a tender for procuring firewalls for substations, an action that drew attention from some stakeholders who noted the urgency of upgrading protective systems.

Cybersecurity experts point out that addressing rising digital risks requires multi-layered defence mechanisms. These can include Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs), intrusion-prevention tools, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, and alignment with international security standards such as ISO 27001 and frameworks like NERC-CIP, which help safeguard critical infrastructure against sophisticated cyber threats.

The policy debate in Parliament also arrives amid wider efforts to modernise India’s grid infrastructure. Beyond traditional transmission upgrades, the power sector’s digital transition has triggered broader discussions about resilience and risk mitigation, especially as advanced technologies and smart grid features expand across operations.

Officials and industry stakeholders expect that sustained parliamentary oversight, combined with practical upgrades and coordination with cybersecurity bodies, will strengthen the sector’s readiness against emerging threats and support India’s long-term energy security goals.